Reutimann Comes from the Back to Finish 8th at Memphis

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (October 24, 2009) – David Reutimann was forced to start the Kroger on Track for the Cure 250 from the rear of the field on Saturday, a result of having Trevor Bayne qualify the No. 99 Aaron’s Dream Machine while Reutimann was in Martinsville, Va. for the Sprint Cup events. However, once the green flag dropped Reutimann simply powered his way through the field and into the top ten, ultimately finishing eighth.

Reutimann was excited to get back to Memphis Motorsports Park, a track where he’d finished first and second the previous two races. With his past success at the track, Reutimann knew there would be plenty of time to work his way up from the back but the larger concern would be keeping his nose clean while doing so.

On lap 8 oil on the track resulted in a multi-car accident right in front of the No. 00, but Reutimann was able to maneuver through the melee without any damage to his car. During the caution period Reutimann would radio in that his car was “a little free on throttle but other than that, pretty good.”

Again on lap 25 multiple cars wrecked near Reutimann, but he would make it through without any major damage the No. 99 Aaron’s Dream Machine and continue his march to the front.

While the numerous caution flags provided several near-misses for Reutimann they also allowed him to quickly make up ground during the double-file restarts now a part of the Nationwide Series.

When the caution flag flew on lap 61, the No. 99 Aaron’s Dream Machine was all the way up to sixth place. Crew chief Jerry Baxter summoned his driver to pit road to pick up four new tires and fuel.

Unfortunately, even though he was able to avoid several collisions on-track, while exiting pit road Reutimann wasn’t able to evade the No. 20 of Matt DiBenedetto who was leaving his pit stall as Reutimann drove past. The contact with the 20 also bumped Reutimann into another car forcing the team to pit a second time for repairs. As a result, the No. 99 would restart 33rd.

Frustrated, but still confident, Reutimann would now have to work his way through the field once more. The frequent cautions would again work in his favor as he quickly drove into the top ten by lap 100.

Following a red flag that stopped the race on lap 166 to clean up the track after a hard hit by the No. 24, Reutimann had made it to the fifth spot.

In order to maintain track position, Baxter decided to keep the No. 99 on the track throughout the next run. During that time Reutimann would slide back to 13th before a caution flag on lap 227 finally allowed him to pit.

With just 27 laps Reutimann was able to battle his way back into the top ten, scoring an eighth-place finish.

“We had a good car today,” said Reutimann. “It was aggravating having to fight my way through traffic twice to get to the front, but I’m really proud of my guys for giving me an Aaron’s Dream Machine capable of doing it.”

Brad Keselowski held off Kyle Busch to pick up his fifth Nationwide win of the season. Jason Leffler, Mike Bliss and Brendan Gaughan round out the top five. Busch’s second-place finish wrapped up the manufacturer’s championship for Toyota.

The Nationwide Series will be off next weekend, but returns November 7 with the O'Reilly Challenge at Texas Motor Speedway. ESPN2 will provide television coverage beginning at 12:00 p.m. ET. For this race the Aaron’s Dream Machine will once again don a special camo paint scheme as Trevor Bayne pilots the No. 99 Aaron’s Outdoors Mossy Oak Dream Machine.

David Reutimann Martinsville/Memphis Preview

Fan question of the week: Teema from Prince Edward Island, Canada asks, 'Where does Martinsville rate in your pick of short tracks and how do you think your short track program is going?' "All of the short tracks on the NASCAR schedule are tough but Martinsville ranks right up there at the top. I think we have a good short track program and we've raced well at almost all of them this year. Of course, we've have some bad luck in a few, so our results haven't shown how well we've preformed."

What was it like to race as sick as you were last week and are you feeling better? "After some rest and plenty of fluids, I feel much better. It didn't bother me while we were under green - you just don't focus on anything else except what’s happening on the track. Under caution is when it really hit me and I remembered how bad I was feeling. It was a tough night; one that I'm glad is over."

With Memphis and Martinsville on your schedule this weekend, what's it like to have to go back and forth between two cities, two different tracks and two different cars? "I've kind of grown accustom to doing it, since this will be our third year traveling to Memphis from another track. Everyone at MWR does a great job of getting everything set up, so all I have to do is jump on the helicopter and plane to get there on time. Trevor Bayne is going to be practicing and qualifying the No. 99 and I have faith that Trevor will have the Aaron's Dream Machine in great shape and ready to race."

You've had a lot of success at Memphis, averaging a top-5 over three races there plus a win. What do you like or what suits you about racing at that track? "I love racing at Memphis. For some reason, that track just forms to my driving style perfectly. I've had some awesome runs at Memphis, including my first Nationwide pole and win."

What's the challenge of racing at Martinsville and how is it different from other short tracks? "First of all it's the only track we compete on that's shaped like a paper-clip and has such sharp corners with little banking. Plus, it's not a very easy place to pass, so tempers can get a little testy. It's just a tough track all around."

What are your expectations and goals for this weekend at Martinsville? "My goal is to keep the fenders intact and stay out of trouble for 500 laps. We're not that far out of 13th, so we need to have some strong finishes in these last few races in the Aaron's Dream Machine."

2009 NSCS Points Standings: David Reutimann sits 16th, 130 points behind Matt Kenseth in 13th place.

Chassis Information: The No. 00 Aaron's Dream Machine for this week is chassis No. 628. This Aaron's Dream Machine has run several races this year and scored several top finishes including an 8th at Phoenix, a 3rd at Pocono, and a 4th at Loudon. It was also used in the last Martinsville race where Reutimann was in the top-10 all day before a late-race accident.

Race Information: This weekend catch David Reutimann in both Nationwide Series and Sprint Cup Series action. On Saturday, Oct. 24 Reutimann will race the No. 99 Aaron’s Dream Machine at Memphis Motorsports Park. Television coverage for the Kroger on Track for the Cure 250 will be provided by ESPN2 beginning at 3 p.m. Then he’ll climb into the No. 00 Aaron’s Dream Machine at Martinsville Speedway on Sunday, Oct. 25. Race coverage for the Tums Fast Relief 500 begins at 1:00 p.m. ET on ABC.

NASCAR CELEBRITIES TO BE “LOCKED UP” FOR SECOND OFFICIAL JAIL AND BAIL

Country Music Star Rodney Atkins To Headline Oct 14 Event

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (Sept. 24, 2009) – The Second Official Jail & Bail charity event supported by Best Buy and Insignia to benefit the Brienne Davis Scholarship Fund at The NASCAR Foundation, is set for Oct. 14 at Brickhouse Tavern in Davidson, N.C.

NASCAR celebrities Marcos Ambrose, Kurt Busch, Kevin Harvick, Juan Pablo Montoya, David Stremme, Wendy Venturini, John Darby, Casey Mears, Scott Speed, Brian Vickers, Jamie McMurray, Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Trevor Bayne, Denny Hamlin, Paul Menard, Reed Sorenson and many more will all have their day in court when they get “locked up” and have to raise their bail in an effort to raise funds for the scholarship fund.

Davis, a Universal Technical Institute (UTI) graduate and NASCAR Sprint Cup Series official, died tragically last year at age 28, and is honored by this scholarship created to encourage women to seek a career in the automotive industry. The Brienne Davis Scholarship Fund is intended to provide an opportunity for a qualified female student who wishes to attend one of 12 Universal Technical Institute campuses across the U.S. including UTI’s NASCAR Technical Institute in Mooresville, N.C.

The event will feature the Jail and Bail portion with NASCAR celebrities, food, beverage, and performances by local artists From A Seed and country music star, Curb Records artist Rodney Atkins.

Last year, the NASCAR industry and its fans helped raise nearly $100,000 during the event to support the Brienne Davis Scholarship Fund.

Tickets for the event are on sale now for $10 and at the gate the night of the event. To register for tickets or to learn more visit WWW.NASCAR.COM/foundation.

An online charity auction featuring the jail shirts worn and signed by each participating driver along with autographed NASCAR memorabilia will go live Oct. 15 at 12 p.m. ET and run through Oct. 22.

Schedule of events for Jail and Bail beneifiting the Brienne Davis Scholarship Fund/NASCAR Foundation.

5 to 6:15 p.m. Band - - From A Seed

6 p.m. Marcos Ambrose to arrive

6:20 Opening Remarks from Matt Yocum

6:25 Comments from the Judge - Intro of staff/Bailiffs and Wardens

6:30 Inmate #1 Marcos Ambrose (sentenced)

6:40 Inmate #2 Trevor Bayne

6:45 Inmate #3 Brian Vickers

6:55 Inmate #4 Kevin Harvick

7:05 Inmate #5 Rutledge Wood (SPEED Talent)

7:20 Inmate #6 David Stremme

7:30 Inmate #7 Juan Pablo Montoya

7:40 Inmate #8 Paul Menard

7:45 Inmate #9 Jason Leffler

7:50 Inmate #10 Ricky Stenhouse, Jr.

8:00 Inmate #11 Reed Sorenson

8:10 Inmate #12 Aric Almirola

8:15 Inmate #13 Scott Speed

8:25 Inmate #14 AJ Allmendinger

8:35 Inmate #15 Kurt Busch

9 p.m. Band - - Rodney Atkins